Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Livonia City Council study session on February 23, 2026 set the agenda for the March 9 voting meeting. Key items included approval of the Shops at College Park callback buildings (Charles Schwab and Fogo de Chao restaurant), a four-story 94-room hotel at 31501 Schoolcraft Road returning for site plan approval after previous approval expired, and additional parking for LaFontaine Auto Group at 11315 Stark Road. The council also debated the city's early voting plan location at City Hall, with concerns raised about ADA accessibility of the entrance ramp.
Key Decisions (19)
Noise Ordinance Waiver for Saint Rafka Maronite Catholic Church Festival
Request to waive noise ordinance for cultural festival at 32765 Linden Street on August 7-9, 2026. Discussion focused on decibel limits matching Saint Mary's festival standards and music ending times. Council debated whether music should end at 11PM or midnight, with residents expressing concerns about bass noise affecting the neighborhood.
Shops at College Park Buildings F and I Site Plan Callback
Petition 2024-02-02-03 for Buildings F (Charles Schwab, 7,400 sq ft single-story) and I (Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse, 8,575 sq ft restaurant with 210 seats) at the Shops at College Park PGD on North side of 6 Mile Road between Hagerty Road and Fox Drive. Part of 21-acre development with 160,000+ sq ft retail and 170 apartments including Whole Foods.
LaFontaine Auto Group Additional Parking at 11315 Stark Road
Petition 2025-12-02-22 to remove existing house and garage at 11315 Stark Road to provide 26 additional parking spaces for automotive dealership at 34501 Plymouth Road. Petitioner LAG Development agreed to bring existing site lighting into compliance and add screen wall along southern property boundary.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse SDM Liquor License
Petition 2025-12-02-23 for Fleming's Prime Steakhouse at 17400 Hagerty Road to obtain SDM (Specially Designated Merchant) license to sell beer, wine, and mixed spirit drinks in original packaging for off-premises consumption. Restaurant has operated at College Park since 2006.
Four-Story Hotel at 31501 Schoolcraft Road
Petition 2025-12-08-09 for site plan approval to construct 94-room, four-story hotel (71,000 sq ft) at 31501 Schoolcraft Road. Previously approved in 2023 after rezoning from C-3 to C-4, but approval expired in 2024. Plans identical to 2023 approval. Former Chuck Muir/Mountain Jack's/La Esprit Academy site.
City of Livonia Early Voting Plan
Request to approve early voting plan designating City Hall as the early voting location. Clerk cited security advantages, backup generators, ADA compliance (scored 12/14 in audit), and curbside voting capability. Concerns raised about entrance ramp accessibility. Council member McCullough offered denying motion citing ADA compliance concerns with ramp.
AFSCME Union Local 1917 Contract Agreement
Three-year contract (12/01/2025-11/30/2028) including 3.5% cost of living increase in year three, 2% wage adjustment, removal of Blue Cross Blue Shield brand name requirement from contract, Earned Sick Time Act compliance modifications, increased vacation accrual, Juneteenth as city holiday, RHSP contribution increased to $100 per biweekly pay, and defined contribution increased from 12% to 13%.
NEOGOV Talent Acquisition Software
Authorization for expenditure to sole source provider NEOGOV for applicant tracking system used for job postings, compliance with civil service rules, and recruitment processes.
Recreation Center Air Handler Emergency Repair
Emergency repair expenditure for Air Handler Unit 2 at Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center. 23-year-old Honeywell control unit is obsolete and requires complete replacement.
Livonia Junior Athletic League Sponsorship
Approval of $24,000 sponsorship to offset officials' costs for recreational baseball, softball, and basketball programs.
Alexander Blue House Carpet Replacement
Award of bid to Luxe Interiors of Ann Arbor for $24,274.25 for installation of carpet tiles at Alexander Blue House at Greenmead Historical Park. Seven bids received ranging from $24,274 to $49,246.
Alliance of Rouge Communities Annual Assessment
Approval of $40,616 annual dues to ARC for Rouge River watershed coordination, MS4 stormwater permit assistance, and illicit discharge inspections.
Generator Preventative Maintenance Contract
Two-year contract for preventive maintenance on eight city generators at Fire Headquarters, City Hall, Fire 4 and 5, Rec Center, 16th District Court, and two at DPW. Cost of $24,000 total ($8,000/year).
Sewer Inspection Cloud-Based Software
Waiver of formal bidding for sole source purchase of cloud-based software for sewer camera truck, compatible with CityWorks CMMS and Esri GIS systems with NASCO rating capabilities.
Amrhein Road Reconstruction Design Engineering
Amendment to engineering contract with Hubbell, Roth and Clark for $110,000 for design of 2027 Amrhein Road reconstruction from Newburg Road to Richfield Court. Project received $918,000 in federal STPU funding (81.85% federal share).
2026 Concrete Road Program Contract
Award to Hard Rock Concrete for $5,004,759.25 for annual concrete road program. Two bids received; lowest selected.
2026 Concrete Road Program Construction Engineering
Amendment to Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick contract for $600,571 for construction engineering services for 2026 concrete road program.
2026 Selective Slab Program Contract
Award to Hard Rock Concrete for $1,504,918.27 for concrete road maintenance/selective slab program. Five bids received from ten pre-bid meeting attendees.
2026 Selective Slab Program Construction Engineering
Amendment to Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick contract for $186,478 for construction engineering services for selective slab program.
Development Activity (3)
Shops at College Park - Buildings F and I
Building F: Charles Schwab Investment Services, single-story 7,400 sq ft with 15 offices, 2 conference rooms. Building I: Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse, 8,575 sq ft with 210 seats, 47 tables, outdoor dining, bar. Part of larger 21-acre PGD with 160,000+ sq ft retail and 170 apartments.
Schoolcraft Lodge Hotel
Four-story, 94-room hotel totaling 71,000 sq ft. Each floor 17,730 sq ft. First floor includes 10 guest suites, great room, fitness center, indoor pool, laundry. Floors 2-4 each have 28 rooms. Building height 54 feet 5 inches. 84 parking spaces.
LaFontaine Auto Group Parking Expansion
Removal of existing house and garage to create 26 additional parking spaces for dealership at 34501 Plymouth Road. Parcel is 10,000+ sq ft zoned C-2. Screen wall to be added, lighting compliance improvements.
Market Signals (5)
Commercial Demand
Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse coming to Livonia will be the only location in Metro Detroit area, expected to attract regional visitors.
Commercial Demand
Resident noted approximately 30% commercial vacancy in Livonia and questioned whether the city has too much commercial property zoned.
Housing Demand
Resident suggested master plan should consider converting some commercial/office space to multi-use properties given housing shortage.
Commercial Demand
New development concentrated on West End and North/Mid-North of city, with East End seeing less activity according to resident observation.
Infrastructure
City investing in federal-funded road reconstruction with 81.85% federal share for Amrhein Road project, indicating continued infrastructure investment.